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Human Earth Animal Liberation
126 SW 148th St Ste C100-422 Seattle, WA 98166-1984
(206)244-1894
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HEAL HEAL’S MISSION STATEMENT HEAL is an egalitarian network of activists self-empowered to plan events, create change, and make the world a better place for all life. Our goals include the liberation of humans, nonhuman animals, and the earth! We work in cooperation with like-minded organizations that put compassion in action! |
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Teen Liberty Environment |
Human Rights Animal Welfare |
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With Chapters In: California♥Illinois♥Kentucky♥Mississippi♥New York Washington♥Wisconsin |
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| Prison Reform | Human Liberation | Earth Liberation | Animal Liberation | ||||||
FRAUDULENT AND ABUSIVE “TREATMENT” CENTERS
FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS!
(Watch the Congressional Hearing)
***VISIT THE NEW SURVIVOR MESSAGE FORUM!***
The residential
treatment and wilderness "therapy" programs have been
denounced by the National Institute of Health as being harmful to
children and families as well as ineffective in dealing with teen
problems. There are multiple resources that expose the fraud and
abuse of this industry. Some authors to check out are Dr. Peter
Breggin, Alexia Parks, and Maia Szalavitz. Dr. Peter Breggin is
author of mutiple books regarding appropriate treatment for teens
(see Reclaiming Our Children by Dr. Peter Breggin). Alexia Parks
authored "An American Gulag" exposing the "teen
help" industry and Maia Szalavitz has written two great books
exposing the fraud and abuse inherent in this industry, "Tough
Love America" and "Help at Any Cost".
We suggest parents do
not remove their children from their home environment unless they
pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. Leading expert in
adolescent psychology and head of the Department of Psychology at
the University of California--Berkeley, Dr. Margaret Singer, has
spoken out against these programs in great detail saying that they
make a child's worst nightmare of abandonment come true and that the
people who run these programs are slick businessmen with no training
or expertise in helping teens appropriately. Maia Szalavitz, author
of "Tough Love America", cites the National Institute of
Health studies on these programs that have determined that they are
harmful and not helpful to teens or their families. Szalavitz also
stated on the Jan. 18th, 2005 episode of Montel Williams that even
when children/teens pose an immediate threat to themselves or others
that at most a short stay (1-4 weeks) in a local psychiatric
hospital to deescalate the situation is what is needed followed by
intensive out-patient family counseling.
The "schools"
listed on our site are either suspectedly or confirmedly abusive. We
recommend no one send children to a facility that matches any of the
criteria on our warning signs list at www.heal-online.org/warn.htm
(see also www.isaccorp.org
) . We have successfully exposed the abuses at Bethel Boys
Academy, Bethel Girls Academy (now closed), CEDU Family of Programs
(all programs now closed), Mountain Park Boarding Academy (now
closed), and many others. We had proof of abuse at CEDU programs up
over 6 years ago and they were just closed down on Friday, 3/25/05.
The system sometimes takes too long to catch up with justice and
truth. That's why we exist. We exist to warn and protect families
from abusive behavior modification programs.
If you are a survivor of one of these programs or otherwise
interested in exposing fraudulent and abusive “treatment” centers
or wilderness camps, please contact
us. For more information on this issue visit:
http://www.heal-online.org/teen.htm. On the
HEAL website you will find links to lawsuits, news articles, and
survivor websites detailing the abuses experienced at these
facilities. Also, please
take a moment to read the open letter quoting government and private
entities with their true intentions in these matters by visiting
www.beyondbusiness.net/openletter.htm.
It is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to an out of
state behavior modification program.
It is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to any program
that limits or denies contact between you and your child at any point in their stay at the facility. It
is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to a facility that you
yourself will not be monitoring on at least a weekly basis in person
to monitor the treatment and well being of your child.
Be responsible, for the sake of your children. If you or your family
were defrauded, abused, and/or subjected to human and civil rights
violations, please get legal assistance now.
The statute of limitations varies from state to state. You have a limited time to file a claim.
For a list of attorneys and attorney referral services that can
help you in your pursuit of justice, click
here. If you are a parent who was coerced into putting your child on psychotropic drugs by school professionals, please visit: http://www.ablechild.org/data/thelist.asp.
This is a growing list of parents bullied into putting their
children in harm’s way. To make a donation to
HEAL specifically for our Teen Liberty/Stop Child Abuse Campaign,
please click here. We need your full support to insure needed exposure for this
campaign! Get involved, donate
or volunteer
today! Also, we believe ALL programs outside of the US are suspect and ask that you read the U.S. State Department’s warning regarding international programs by clicking here. They have softened the warning from the original. We believe this is due to the corruption in the State Department, Justice Department, and the White House. Do not, under any circumstances, risk your child’s life in a program outside of the U.S.
HEAL is not a referral service. We do not advocate placement of children in unregulated, private, behavior modification programs or facilities. Please do not contact us for referrals or approval of your subjecting a child to this corrupt and destructive industry.
If
you are unable to find the answers you are looking for, please visit: www.heal-online.org/help.htm
Following
is a “work in progress” list of suspected and confirmed abusive
behavior modification programs in the
United States.
If you have survived an abusive behavior modification program,
please contact
us and tell us your
experience.
We will post your experience and details about the facility on
this website. We can
protect your identity
if you so desire. Understand that this is an incomplete list and that it is your
responsibility to look heavily into the
program(s) which you consider
placing your child into. Please
use the following drop down menu to select
programs by state or name
or simply scroll down the page:
ALABAMA
Alabama Teen Challenge in Oxford (& cities of Bay Minette, Warrior, ), AL is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility. Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF). DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens. Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US ambassador to Italy. George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification. Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others. To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please click here.
New Beginnings in AL is a Three Springs program. Based on multiple survivor accounts of other Three Springs programs and former employee (employed at Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley facility) allegations, we find Duck River Boys to be highly suspect. Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to protect our sources, we are not divulging more information at this time. If you have more information on Three Springs programs and/or were abused while in their care, please contact us. If you were at their follow up transitional facility and experienced abuse or further violations of your rights, please contact us. To read survivor reports visit: www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htm
New
Directions Boys in Huntsville, AL is a Three Springs program. Based on multiple survivor
accounts of other Three Springs programs and former employee (employed
at Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley facility) allegations, we find
Duck River Boys to be highly suspect.
Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to
protect our sources, we are not divulging more information at this
time. If you have more
information on Three Springs programs and/or were abused while in
their care, please contact
us. If you
were at their follow up transitional facility and experienced abuse or
further violations of your rights, please contact us. To read
survivor reports visit: www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htm
Reclamation Ranch in Empire, AL is connected to Rachael Academy. These programs are descendants of the Roloff homes and are confirmedly abusive. Reclamation Ranch has been raided and is swimming in allegations of abuse and torture. There is a photo on their website of the Director proudly posing with the plane that Roloff died in. If you were in Reclamation Ranch or would like to contact us please click here. Here are videos on the raid!:
Teen Challenge, Int’l
in Seale, AL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click
here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Three Springs of
Courtland, Three Springs Turning Point, and Three Springs
of Paint Rock Valley are lock down facilities with around the clock
observation of children in their care.
Based on the description as of February 13, 2004 at the
teenprogram.info site, linked to the program title at the beginning of
this description and former employee (employed at Three Springs of
Paint Rock Valley facility) allegations, we believe that Three Springs
of Courtland and Three Springs of Paint Rock valley is confirmedly
abusive. Due to possible
litigation in this issue and in order to protect our sources, we are
not divulging more information at this time.
If you have more information on Three Springs programs and/or
were abused while in their care, please contact
us. If you
were at their follow up transitional facility at Three Springs Turning
Point and experienced abuse or further violations of your rights,
please contact us. To read survivor reports visit: www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htm
Palmera
Teen Challenge in Double Springs, Alabama is highly suspected of being a teen
torture facility. Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF). DFAF
was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight,
Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.
Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush. In
George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as
US ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To
visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. ALASKA
Teen
Challenge of Alaska
in Anchorage, AK is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. ARIZONA
America’s
Buffalo Soldiers Boot Camp
located in White Mountain (area), AZ is confirmedly abusive.
The founder of the program, Charles Long was found guilty of
second-degree murder of Michael Villa, a child in this program.
And, in more recent news, four “counselors” involved with
the program have been found guilty in the death of another boy at this
camp, Anthony Haynes. For
more information visit: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0525long25.html,
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0621buffalo-ON.html
and http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/classics/chuck_long/.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at America’s
Buffalo Soldiers Boot Camp, please report the abuse to authorities and
contact
us
to have your online statement added here as a warning to others.
Blue
Hills Academy
located in Dewey, AZ uses the same language as Resource Realizations
and the TASKS model of behavior modification.
Their system is virtually identical to the confirmed abusive
programs such as WWASPS, Provo Canyon School, and Mountain Park
Boarding Academy. Use the
link to Blue Hills Academy (click on the opening title of this
paragraph) and you will be taken to their “what we do that works”
page. It details a
mandatory cut off of communication between parents and children during
the initial phases of “healing”.
They use language such as “what works, and what doesn’t
work” which is identical to the trauma-based mind control seminars
of Resource Realizations. It
is our belief that because of the numerous methods used having matched
the warning signs as can be found at http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm
as taken from www.isaccorp.com
that Blue Hills Academy is an abusive behavior modification facility
and we advise you DO NOT send your child there and that you DO rescue
your child at once if they are there now!
If you were abused at Blue Hills Academy please report your
abuse to authorities and contact
us to have your online statement added here as a warning to
others.
Catherine
Freer Wilderness Program
located in Albany, OR is a confirmedly abusive behavior modification
program. A fifteen
year-old girl was killed in the program in May of 2002.
Do not send your child to a program known to be responsible for
the death of other children. If
you were abused in the Catherine Freer Wilderness Program, contact
us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others.
Copper Canyon Academy located in Lake Montezuma, AZ is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program. They use a level-based system similar to Provo Canyon School and the WWASPS programs. They limit contact between parent and child to censored/shared w/ staff written correspondence while on the initial orientation level. This contact is increased to one monthly phone call with staff supervision watching and monitoring all the child says while on the phone. These conditions make it virtually impossible for a child to report any abuse without suffering greater risk of unnecessary and cruel punishment. Please do not send your child to any program that limits your contact with them. If you were abused at Copper Canyon Academy or had your rights violated in anyway (it is against federal law for them to read your incoming or outgoing written correspondence and lawsuits have shown time and again that these institutions are guilty of breaking federal laws by doing this) please contact us and we will post your online statement here as a warning to others. To read an online statement regarding abuse and violations at this facility (under previous owners) as reported by a former employee of Copper Canyon, please click here.
Gatehouse Academy--Located in Wickenburg, AZ (and Sarasota Springs, NY). This program is highly suspected of being an abusive facility. It's application states that it is not a "treatment center" or a "medical center". In addition, all communications are monitored by staff and visits are also monitored and scheduled. Any program that denies contact between parent and child at any time during their stay is likely abusive. Also, parents are not allowed to spontaneously visit or interact with their children privately. This is also a red flag. Please review the warning signs list at www.heal-online.org/warn.htm for more information regarding what practices imply an overly restrictive and/or abusive atmosphere. Also, Gatehouse allows "distance learning" and is partnered with Brigham Young University (BYU) for this purpose. BYU is the birthplace of abusive "treatment" models and this association suggests that Gatehouse is using an abusive treatment model. In addition, Gatehouse Academy touts its affiliation with NATSAP (an accreditation agency created by abusive behavior modification program owners to give the appearance of legitimacy to themselves and others in this industry) and the Woodbury Reports as proof of effectiveness. Please see our website at www.heal-online.org/accreditation.htm for information on how/why these accreditation agencies are untrustworthy. Woodbury Reports rewards bad behavior and aids in covering up abuse at many facilities. Also, Gatehouse is hiring and to work with the patients, all is required is a "high school diploma" or "equivalent". They are not providing qualified and trained addiction specialists or mental health professionals to their clients and allowing uneducated and inexperienced people to be in unsupervised positions of power over residents in their care. This is a serious issue. We recommend you do not subject yourself or your young adults (17-25 years old) to this facility. If you have been defrauded, abused, or had your rights violated by Gatehouse Academy, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
Oak
Creek Ranch School located in Sedona, AZ is confirmedly
abusive. According to one mother, "My son went to Oak Creek
Ranch School in Sedona, Arizona. We were assured that it would be a
good place for a 12 year old and he would be among several others of
his age, supervised and extra help with some of his learning and
behavioral issues. The whole stay was a nightmare. There was only one
other 12 year old, all the other kids were high school students,
smoking, doing drugs and more. No supervision every night for 4 hours,
kids left to roam around. Whenever I called the only supervisor would
complain constantly that they were short staffed. My son was expelled
for taunting another kid with bruises on his body. California Child
Protective Services got involved, but nothing ever happened. I
contacted the Sherriff's Dept. in Sedona, and was told that "they
are good people at that school" and they weren't going to
investigate. Of course, I was not refunded any tuition and my son
learned everything he shouldn't have, cussing, smoking, drugs, sexual
encounters with older girls. To this day, 5 years later he still will
not tell us about some of the stuff that went on there, he is scarred,
our whole family has been traumatized by this experience. Schools like
Oak Creek Ranch School need to be put out of business!"
Please do not send your child to Oak Creek Ranch School. If you
were abused or had your rights violated by Oak Creek Ranch School,
please contact us so we can
post your experience here as a warning to others. Thank you!
Parc Place located in N. Chandler, AZ is confirmedly abusive. According to multiple former employees: "A lockdown rehabilitation facility for troubled teens in north Chandler is under fire from former employees who claim the place is plagued by violence, poor management and lax care." See the whole news report titled, "Ex-employees question safety for troubled teens at rehab facility" at http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=6240832&nav=HMO6. If you were abused or had your rights violated at Parc Place, please contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to others.
Spring Ridge Academy
located in Spring Valley, AZ is confirmedly abusive and uses virtually the same language and
systems of seminars as Resource Realizations and the TASKS model of
behavior modification. According
to their application form they require parents to turn over all
guardianship rights over to the school while the child is in the
school. They require a commitment of at least 15 months.
They ask parents to sign away the right to sue for any reason
other than gross negligence, which they cannot legally require parents
to do in the event they break the law, prove to be fraudulent and
abusive, as we believe they are.
They also block communication to the outside world allowing
only letters to and from parents all coming and going through staff so
that no child can report their abuse to their parents without being
punished. They block
phone privileges during the first month(s) of stay.
All of these are red flags according to the warning list at http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.
Please do not send your
child to this program. Rescue
them if they are there now! View
some of the fines levied against the program,
click here. If
you were abused at Spring Ridge Academy please contact
us and we will post your online statement here as a warning to
others.
Teen
Challenge of Arizona
in Phoenix, (and
cities of Tucson, Yuma) AZ is highly suspected of being a teen torture
facility. Teen Challenge
is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America
Foundation (DFAF). DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. ARKANSAS
Teen
Challenge of Arkansas
in Hot Springs
Village, AR is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge Ranch in
Morrow, AR is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF). DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. CALIFORNIA
Blue
Mountain Wilderness Program
located in Camp Connell, CA is suspect.
They try to allay fears of parents who are aware of abusive
programs by saying they are not abusive.
They say they don’t use the ineffective “level system”
that many abusive behavior modification programs use.
Then, they go on to say that they do use a “progressive
system” with different levels beginning with orientation.
There is to be no communication between child and the outside
world (including parents) for the first month or while at the
Orientation level. We
recommend for safety sake that you consider another option for your
child’s treatment. Children
are not monsters, they are human beings who need to be respected,
loved, and valued. Try it
at home, maybe that’s all the fixing your child needs!
If you were abused at Blue Mountain Wilderness Program please contact
us and will post your online statement here as a warning
to others.
Feather
River Teen Challenge
in
Live Oak, CA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Homeward Bound in "Bay Area", CA is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program and referral center. They are home-based in Utah and associated with other Utah programs that are abusive and/or unregulated. If you were abused or had your rights violated at Homeward Bound, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
House
of Hope in
California a confirmedly abusive behavior modification program. They openly use the phrasing “behavior modification”
which has been described by Dr. Weiss of the Federal Prison System as
a system of brainwashing people into submission using violence,
torture, and cruelty. They
also claim to help cure ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), a
“disorder” that is currently being eradicated from all respectable
medical and psychiatric databases because it defines normal teenage
behavior as a mental disease. In 1992, House of Hope lost a lawsuit against the San Diego
Department of Social Services after the findings of abuse as alleged
by Social Worker Smith were deemed to be well founded and thereby her
actions against House of Hope were justified.
(San Diego House of Hope v. San Diego Department of Social
Services) If you were
abused at House of Hope, please contact
us and we will add your online statement here as a
warning to others.
Monterey
Teen Challenge
in
Watsonville, CA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Pacific
View Retreat
located somewhere
near the borders of California and Mexico is a WWASPS program for
adults. Representative George Miller of California demanded in
investigation into all World Wide Association of Specialty Programs
and Schools after receiving hundreds of complaints from his
constituents about the torture and abuse suffered by them and/or their
children. You may read the correspondence between John Ashcroft and George Miller by
visiting: http://nospank.net/ashcroft.htm.
As of January 9th, 2004, California Representative George Miller
demanded, and was denied by John Ashcroft, an investigation into
WWASPS. According to Representative Miller of California,
“There is a
laundry list of abuse of children at WWASPS schools: deprivation of
food, deprivation of contact with their peers, physical abuse, mental
abuse, sexual abuse, and parents are paying big money for services not
rendered," Miller added in a Nov. 6 news release.”
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Pacific View
Retreat, please contact
us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others.
Phoenix House in CA is highly suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program. Respected teen "help" industry researcher, Maia Szalavitz, likens the treatment at Phoenix House to known abusive programs. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Phoenix House, please contact us and we will post your online statement here as a warning to others.
Redwood
Teen Challenge
in McKinleyville, CA
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Southwestern Academy in California
has a program design that raises red flags all over the place.
They use a punishment and reward merit system similar to that
used by Provo Canyon School. Please compare the student handbook at http://www.southwesternacademy.edu/handbooks2.htm
with the warning signs list at http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.
We believe based on the handbook descriptions that this program
is abusive and we recommend you do not send your child there!
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Southwestern
Academy, please contact
us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others.
Teen
Challenge
in Lincoln, (&
cities of Bakersfield, Redding, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San
Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Turlock, Ventura,) CA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in
2000. The “New Freedom
Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists
working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually
enslaved through behavior modification.
Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge Int’l—California
in Oakland, CA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Los Angeles
in Los Angeles (
South Gate & Hawthorne), CA is highly suspected of being a teen
torture facility. Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF). DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge New Life
in Sacramento, CA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility. Teen
Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free
America Foundation (DFAF). DFAF
was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight,
Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.
Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald
Reagan and George H.W. Bush. In
George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as
US ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. COLORADO
Colorado
Mountain Camps
(Wilderness Program) in Boulder, CO is suspect because of the
contractual requirement that a parent or anyone acting on behalf of a
parent will not sue Colorado Mountain Camps if their child is lost,
injured, or killed while in the care of Colorado Mountain Camps.
There is also limited communication between child and family,
postcards only. Postcards
are a great way to avoid breaking federal laws in reading incoming and
outgoing mail. You may call immediate family (parents) once every two weeks.
There is no specification whether or not these calls are
monitored. The links on
the page to Communications with Your Child was not working at the time
this was written, Saturday, February 14th, 2004.
As of May 31st, 2005 the website had moved or been
shut down for this program. We
believe that this program is suspect. If you have more detailed information or were abused in this
program, please contact
us and we will add your experience to this website.
Emily Griffith Center
(aka Griffith Centers for Children) in Denver, CO is confirmedly
abusive. For detailed
reports of abuse, please click
here. They claim to
treat “pre-delinquent” boys ages 15-19.
That is a word for preventative psychiatric care, which is also
know historically as neurological programming or brainwashing.
In fact, in their literature they refer to the
“programming” of youth. They
also call their doors “escape delay perimeter doors” which leads
one to believe that boys in this program seek to escape.
If this were a loving, nurturing, constructive program we
believe they wouldn’t be focused on boys inability to escape as a
selling point. If you
have more detailed information or were abused in this program please contact
us and we will add your experience to this website.
Monarch Center for Family Healing
"While some teenagers wake up to find a Monarch staffer
by their bedside, ready to rip them from the life they
know and whisk them to the mountains of Colorado — an
extreme, boot-camp tactic that enforces the seriousness
of what the student is about to go through — Chris went
to Monarch voluntarily, escorted by his parents.
Right away, Harry noticed a few things that worried him. He found it odd that his son was going to be in a coed group camping in the woods. He also wondered if the cheap, plastic fishing-tackle box stuffed to the brim with the different medications of Monarch students was sufficiently secure. But he'd heard that Monarch was such an amazing place, he let those concerns go. Out in the field, though, Chris found his daily routine a far cry from the glitzy, biking/white-water rafting/mountain-climbing Colorado experience that Monarch had advertised. "Basically we'd wake up early, eat breakfast that consisted of powdered milk and cereal, and then we'd hike for miles," Chris remembers. "We'd stop for lunch, then keep hiking for a few more hours, and then we'd camp. We'd sit around the fire and shoot the shit for a little bit at night, but it wasn't therapy; it was just talking. Then the next day we'd do it again. It got to be really, really boring." And worse. Early on, Chris lost the spoon he'd been assigned for his meals, so he had to consume his meager rations with a stick. An informational pamphlet handed out at orientation had informed students that they were to practice a leave-no-trace style of mountaineering, with each camper issued six squares of toilet paper, but Chris didn't even get that. "They made me wipe my ass with rocks and pinecones," he says. "They never had toilet paper. That six squares thing? That was just bullshit. The girls were made to drip dry." Each camper carried a thermos. At streams, they'd fill up — and then counselors would purify each thermos with a few drops from an eye-dropper full of chlorine bleach. Sometimes, Chris says, they would just drop the bleach directly into the stream and then tell the kids to fill up. Chris was soon suffering from severe diarrhea. Monarch typically takes students out into the field for two weeks at a time, then brings them back to Georgetown for a week of family therapy. When the Haneys arrived from Fort Worth, where Harry owns a company that manufactures highway safety equipment, Chris smelled so bad that he had to shower twice before they could take him out for a meal, Harry remembers. At their first family session, Chris complained about conditions at Monarch. But his parents figured it was just normal bitching about "bad kids' camp," and they sent him back into the field. The second time Harry came up for family week, he could see in his son's eyes that something wasn't right. "He said, 'Dad, you have to get me out of here; they just want me for the money,'" Harry remembers." If you were abused or had your rights violated at Monarch, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
Mountain
Homes Youth Ranch in
Dinosaur, CO (business office in Vernal, UT) is suspected of being an
abusive behavior modification program.
We base this suspicion on the fact that the use a phase system
similar to that in the WWASPS programs.
We were unable to download the “in-depth MHYR program
packet” and were unable to confirm our suspicions due to the lack of
information available. If you were abused at Mountain Homes Youth Ranch, please contact
us so we may post your experience here as a warning to
others.
Teen
Challenge of Colorado
in Olathe, CO is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Rocky Mountains in
Crestone, CO is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF). DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. CONNECTICUT
Devereux
Glenholme
in CT is a
confirmedly abusive behavior modification program.
According to one woman’s experience: “from there it was on
to Devereux Glenholme, a correctional school/residential/hell. a high
priced jail that was dressed up to look like a well to do boarding
school. nearly two years of that place has scarred me like nothing
else could ever. they abused their rights as caregivers by tapping
phone conversations between children and their parents, stealing
funds, opening mail, using abusive techniques for restrainment, using
funds for campus beautification, not the well being of the kids, and
lying to the board of health. creativity and self-expression was
smothered out as soon as possible there. if it weren’t for the
friends I made there I would try to forget this part of my life.”
This was taken from http://allthesescarsaremine.50megs.com/moi/.
To view other survivor statements regarding Deveraux Glenholme,
please click
here. If you were abused at Deveraux Glenholme,
please contact
us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others.
Teen
Challenge
in New Haven, CT is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. DELAWARE
(coming
soon) District of Columbia (wash. D.c.) Teen
Challenge—DC
in Washington D.C.
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. FLORIDA
Camp
Tracey Children’s Home—operated by Harvest Baptist Church north of Glen Saint Mary, FL
is confirmedly abusive. As
early as 1987 abuse was documented at this program.
A grand jury issued a report on abuse and negligence
complaining that thee camp did not keep records of injuries or abuse,
did not report suspected abuse to the state, had no staff trained in
health or nutrition, was not inspected for compliance with health,
building and fire codes; had no certified teachers, scheduled a
grossly substandard amount of time for instruction, had a convicted
felon on staff, censored students’ mail, severely limited contact of
students with their parents, used corporal punishment frequently,
restrained students with ropes and handcuffs, and forced them into
slavery (uncompensated work for private citizens under duress of
physical/mental punishment). We
recommend parents do not send their child to this program.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Camp Tracey,
please contact
us and we will
post your experience here as a warning to others.
Detailed report provided by Children’s
Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc.
Nov. 4th, 2004 newsletter.
Growing Together in Palm Beach, FL is confirmedly abusive. One family member reports, "My sibling was abused at Growing Together... It uses the Straight "treatment" model." If you were abused or had your rights violated at Growing Together, please contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to others.
New
Beginnings Rebekah Home
(aka New Beginnings Girls Academy)—in Pace,
FL is confirmedly abusive. The
former owners, Mr. & Mrs. Cameron, have opened and closed their
lockdown residential facilities in TX, MO, and MS before bringing them
to FL in 2001. Texas has
permanently banned Mrs. Cameron from working with children or being
present at a juvenile facility. A
local TV station reported in Dec. 2004 that FL state officials had
investigated two allegations of abuse at the school, one for requiring
“extreme physical exertion” of a student and an accusation that
Mrs. Cameron hit a girl with a curtain rod.
Soon afterwards the school changed its name to New Beginnings
Girls Academy and the Camerons’ names were removed from its
literature. Like the
Camerons, however, the new director, Bill McNamara, strongly
emphasizes the girls’ sinfulness and prohibits contact with their
siblings, according to the sister of one student.
Detailed report provided by Children’s
Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc.
Nov. 4th, 2004 newsletter.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at New
Beginnings, please contact
us and we will
post your experience here as a warning to others. To view
survivor statements regarding the Cameron's and these programs
please click here.
Our
Father’s House in Milton, FL
owned and operated by former Ku Klux Klansman John Burt is confirmedly
abusive. In 2004, Burt
was convicted of sexually molesting a 15-year old girl.
He is presently out on bond pending his appeal.
Our Father’s House remains operational.
Please do not subject your child to Our Father’s House.
Detailed report provided by Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc.
Nov. 4th, 2004 newsletter.
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Our
Father’s House, please contact
us and we will
post your experience here as a warning to others.
Safe Harbor Boys Home in Jacksonville, FL is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification facility. They use a level system similar to that in the WWASPS programs and require parents to enroll their children for at least one year. They also state on their website (as of 9/29/04) that if parents have second thoughts (why would they if it was a safe/healthy environment for their child?) that they shouldn’t have placed the child with Safe Harbor to begin with. Why does Safe Harbor need to control the parents as well as the children? In the least, their website and policies give us at HEAL pause and we recommend you do not send your child to this facility. If you were abused or had your rights violated at Safe Harbor Boys Home, please contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to others.
Sarasota Community School in Sarasota, FL is suspected of being an abusive and fraudulent facility. We have received unconfirmed reports of fraud and abuse from parent(s) regarding this program. One mother said: "I would like to 'report' the above school to your web site. This school is being run by a DeSisto graduate. I am currently filing suit in order to get my money back - $45,000 - son left after 12 weeks - do to lack of supervision, counseling, educational opportunities, and a rude/degrading owner. They really did not like me because I was local and my son's advocate. I would like to help ensure that no other child/parent be scammed by these people.
Thank you for your help."
If you were abused or had your rights violated at Sarasota Community School, please contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to others.
Starting Place, The in Hollywood, FL is confirmedly abusive. Complaints of fraud and sexual abuse filed. See article at: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/sfl-flbmayocol0612xsbjun12,0,5814657.column If you were abused or had your rights violated by The Starting Place, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
The
Tampa Marine Institute in St. Petersburg, FL is
suspected of being an abusive behavior modification facility.
Tampa Marine Institute and all of it's affiliated programs are very
vaguely described in their literature or on their website. They
claim that "what they do works", but do not explain exactly
what they do. They hint at practices that deny persons in their
program life, liberty, and property without due process of law and are
located in the founding city of Straight, Inc. and other notoriously
unregulated and abusive facilities. Since Florida does not
regulate this industry we recommend you do not send your child to any
program in Florida including this one. If you were abused or had
your rights violated by Tampa Marine Institute or any of its
affiliated programs, please contact
us so we can post your statement here as a warning to others.
Teen
Challenge—FL, Inc.
in Arcadia, FL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen Challenge in Bonifary, FL is confirmedly abusive. If you were abused at Teen Challenge in Bonifay, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
Teen
Challenge Int’l—Florida
in Orlando, (and
cities of Sanford, Fort Myers, Pensacola, Tarpon Springs, Davie,
Tampa) FL is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge Lakeland Girls
in Lakeland, FL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. Teen
Challenge Ministries
in Jacksonville, FL
is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge of Florida
in Vero Beach, FL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge Women’s Center
in Ft.Myers, FL is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. Teen
Transformation Ministries
in Oveido, FL is
confirmedly abusive. In
2003, a 13-year old boy suffered a broken shoulder and fire ant bites
there. The Seminole
County sheriff reported that he complained of the shoulder injury, but
was not given medical attention.
The boy was forced to pull down his pants and sit on a fire ant
mound at the group home, the sheriff said.
The sheriff’s office returned all the boys in the program to
their parents while the abuse allegations were investigated, but, the
school had five boys enrolled again the next year.
The state does not have the authority to close the school
down. Detailed report
provided by Children’s
Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc. Nov. 4th, 2004
newsletter. If you were
abused at Teen Transformation Ministries, please contact
us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others.
Victory
Christian Academy
(aka
Lighthouse of Northwest Florida) in Jay, FL is confirmedly
abusive. It is the sister
program of Genesis by the Sea, a program recently closed down in
Mexico for gross human rights violations of the children in their
care. To read survivor
accounts of life at Victory Christian Academy, click
here. Michele Ulriksen has
written an expose' on Victory Christian Academy, see:
www.ReformAtVictory.com If you were
abused or had your rights violated at Victory Christian Academy,
please contact
us and we will post your experience here as a warning to others.
Victory Forge Military Academy in Port St. Lucie, FL is confirmedly abusive. See the news article at: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/may/02/abuse-allegations-leave-victory-forge-military/?feedback=1#comments If you were abused or had your rights violated at Victory Forge Military Academy, please contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to others.
West
Florida Teen Challenge Boys’ Ranch—in Bonifay, Florida is a confirmedly abusive teen program.
See the
youtube of a child pleading for help.
The contract parents must sign with Teen Challenge does not
indicate that the school meets standards that might be roughly
equivalent to state requirements.
The contract states that the Florida Association of Christian
Child-Caring Agencies’ (FACCCA) “intent” is to “insure the
physical and spiritual health, safety, and well being” of the
children and therefore that thee boy’s ranch must meet FACCCA’s
“minimum standards,” but the only one described in the contract is
allowing access to public officials who inspect for fire, health,
safety, and sanitation codes. Parents
have to agree to hold the ranch and its employees harmless from “any
and all liability” for injury to the child “even injury resulting
in death.” Parents must
agree “that God desires that they resolve their dispute with one
another within the church and that they be reconciled in their
relationships in accordance with the principles stated in I
Corinthians 6:1-8, Matthew 5:23-24, and Matthew 18:15-20.”
If they cannot resolve their disagreement privately within the
church, parents must accept resolution through “biblically based
mediation” by rules of the Association of Christian Conciliation
Services. There is no
refund of tuition or deposits if the boy leaves the ranch before 15
months even if the ranch has expelled him.
Several former students say that staff, “use physical
punishment, ridicule intimidate and/or verbally abuse children; use
chemical restraints; employ cruel or humiliating treatment or other
emotionally abusive behavior; assign excessive exercise or work
duties, deny food, clothing, shelter, medical car, and/or prescribed
therapeutic activities, or contacts with family, counselors, or legal
representatives as a form of punishment.” Please do not send your child to any Teen Challenge program.
Detailed report provided by Children’s
Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, Inc. Nov. 4th, 2004
newsletter. To read about
Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here. If you
were abused or had your rights violated by any Teen Challenge program,
please contact
us and we will post your experience here as a warning to
others. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge
survivors, click
here. GEORGIA
Appalachian
Wilderness Camp
operated in the North Georgia Mountains, GA is confirmedly abusive.
On April 20th, 2005 Appalachian Wilderness Camp
staff restrained Travis Parker, an asthmatic, denied him proper
medical care (refused to give his inhaler), and as a result he died.
This program is no place for children.
For more on this story visit: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/news_24c776ec0553126810c1.html
The staff are poorly trained and out of control.
No child should die or be tortured in the name of treatment.
If you were abused at Appalachian Wilderness Camp, please contact
us
and we’ll add your online testimony to this website.
Broken
Shackle Ranch is located in
Davisboro, GA. They are a
confirmedly abusive behavior modification program. In 2003, they were ordered to pay over $1 million in a
wrongful death suit. They
were found liable for Bryan Jones’ death.
Jones was fifteen when he was electrocuted to death while in
the care of Broken Shackle Ranch.
(Case
No. A03A1064). See the lawsuit,
Lawsuit
Against Broken Shackle Ranch
(in Georgia)
Carolina
Springs Academy
is located somewhere near the borders of Georgia and South Carolina.
Based on the less than open nature of their website and the
fact that their contact information is solely a phone number without
public disclosure of even the city of their location we believe that
Carolina Springs Academy is suspect. What leads us to further believe that Carolina Springs
Academy is suspect is their descriptions of their program. They use cognitive-behavioral restructuring (aka trauma-based
mind control) as well as a merit system not unlike that used by WWASPS
and Provo Canyon School. We
believe it is in the best interest of you and your child that you do
not send your child to Carolina Springs Academy.
If you attended Carolina Springs Academy and were abused while
in their care, please contact
us and we’ll add your online testimony to this website.
Hidden Lake Academy is located in
Dahlonega, GA. Hidden
Lake Academy is a confirmedly abusive program.
According to reports to our site they are guilty of numerous
offences including: violation of constitutional rights, medical
malpractice, and more. If
you would like to read more on the evidence against Hidden lake
Academy, click
here. If you'd like to read
about or join the current class action lawsuit against Hidden Lake
Academy, click
here. If you attended Hidden Lake Academy and were
abused while in their care, please contact
us and we’ll add your online testimony to this website.
Teen
Challenge—Athens
located in Athens,
GA is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Atlanta
located in Atlanta,
GA is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Columbus
in Columbus, GA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge—Macon
in Macon, GA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000. The
“New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and
pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America
is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification.
Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If
you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
Teen
Challenge of Middle Georgia
in Dublin, GA is
highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.
Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the
Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).
DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of
Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for
teens. Straight,
Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W.
Bush. In George W.
Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US
ambassador to Italy. George
W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.
The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists
and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in
America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior
modification. Please do
not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused
or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact
us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.
To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen
Challenge programs, click here. To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click
here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please
click here.
HAWAII
(coming
soon) IDAHO
Ascent
Wilderness Intervention: (RE-OPENED
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP) in Idaho was (when owned by CEDU) a confirmedly abusive behavior modification
program. It is now owned
by Universal Health Services (a German mega-corporation).
Universal Health Services (UHS) also owns many other programs
including the notoriously abusive Provo Canyon School (see: www.heal-online.org/provocases.htm,
www.heal-online.org/sign.htm,
&
www.beyondbusiness.net/provotruth.htm, )
According to a CEDU program survivor,
“I attended
Ascent and CEDU in CA. If you love your child STAY AWAY FROM THIS
SCHOOL. I can tell you stories that will make you sick. I have also
heard alot of horror stories from students who attended some of the
other schools on this site. Please - do your research before sending
your child into the care of strangers.
If you want more information please contact me at ArtemBiz@yahoo.com.”
If you would like to
read about other survivor stories that have firsthand experience of
the abuses at Ascent, please click
here. If you
were abused or had your rights violated at Ascent, please contact
us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others.
Boulder
Creek Academy: (RE-OPENED
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP)
in
Bonners Ferry, ID was (when owned by CEDU) a confirmedly abusive behavior modification
program. It is now owned
by Universal Health Services (a German mega-corporation).
Universal Health Services (UHS) also owns many other programs
including the notoriously abusive Provo Canyon School (see: www.heal-online.org/provocases.htm,
www.heal-online.org/sign.htm,
www.beyondbusiness.net/provotruth.htm,
&
www.heal-online.org/provocanyon.htm)
According
to a CEDU program survivor, “I attended Ascent and CEDU in CA. If you love
your child STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL. I can tell you stories that
will make you sick. I have also heard alot of horror stories from
students who attended some of the other schools on this site. Please -
do your research before sending your child into the care of strangers. If you want more information please contact me at ArtemBiz@yahoo.com.”
Don’t send your child to a CEDU program!
If you were abused at Boulder Creek Academy, please contact
us and we will post your online statement here as a
warning to others. Please
visit www.heal-online.org/cedu.htm
for more information on the abuse at CEDU facilities.
Clear View in Sandpoint, ID is suspected of being an abusive
behavior modification program. What
leads us to believe it is suspect is the fact that they encourage
limited communication between patient and their family and only allow
family visits every four months and under the supervision of Clear
View therapists. There
are big red flags here. Children
should be allowed open phone privileges to parents at all times and
private communications between the child and their parents at all
times. Families should be
encouraged to be an integral part of their child’s therapy from the
on-set not four months into treatment.
Due to all of these reasons we believe Clear View is clearly
suspect and best to be avoided. If you were abused while in the care of Clear View, please contact
us and we will add your personal statement to our
website. Elk
Mountain Academy in Clark Fork, ID is
confirmedly abusive. "The
counselor arrested on sexual battery charges at a North Idaho private
school for troubled teenage boys has admitted to authorities he had
been a long-time sex addict, including the more than three decades he
served as a Catholic priest. Louis Wayne Ladenburger, 70,
was arrested Wednesday on three charges of sexual battery with a minor
after a three-week investigation by the Bonner County Sheriff’s
Special Victims Unit. Ladenburger worked at the Elk Mountain
Academy near Clark Fork for only a few months as a therapist before
the first alleged incident involving one of the students. The
investigation started three weeks ago after a 17-year-old student told
his parents Ladenburger had touched him." Taken from
KXLY.com on May 30th, 2007. Please do not send your child to Elk
Mountain Academy. If you were abused or had your rights violated
while in the care of Elk Mountain Academy, please contact us and we
will add your personal statement to our website. Also see: http://www.ruralnorthwest.com/artman/publish/article_7410.shtml
Here's a brief sampling of the before linked article: "A
therapist working at Elk Mountain Academy for seven months was
arrested May 30 by the Bonner County Sheriff's Office and charged with
two counts of sexual battery of a minor. Louis W. Ladenburger
was also charged with a third count of sexual battery of another
minor. Both are students at the Clark Fork therapeutic high school for
at-risk teenage boys. Landenberg remains Bonner County Jail on
$100,000 bail. Carl Olding, founder and director of the academy
that began in 1994, said he received a call from a parent at 6 a.m. on
May 5 claiming their son had been inappropriately touched by
Ladenburger. "My wife notified Child Protective Services at
their 24-hour hotline while I was in route to Sandpoint, where I met
with the parents and their son in their hotel room two hours
later," he said. After he arrived, Olding interviewed the
student with his parents present. "My sense was the student
was telling me the truth," he said. "He told me he thought
the therapist would tell me the truth. I then interviewed Mr.
Ladenburger, who admitted the entire story that the student shared was
in fact true." Olding said he then stepped outside and
called the sheriff's office around 9:30 a.m., made the report and
offered to testify that Ladenburger had admitted the alleged crime.
Olding's wife also reported the incident to the Department of Health
and Welfare at approximately 11 a.m."
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